CADmore Metal has introduced a method called Cold Metal Fusion (CMF) for 3D printing titanium and other metals, and the results look promising. CMF uses a mix of metal powder (like titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V) and a polymer binder. A standard industrial printer lays down layers of this “green” material, which is then cleaned, debound, and sintered in a furnace, producing dense, fully metal parts, tells IEEE Spectrum.
Titanium has long been attractive for aerospace, defense, and high-performance applications because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ability to produce complex geometries. But conventional titanium 3D printing often runs into problems: high reactivity, cracking during cooling, brittleness from gas absorption, and expensive, slow processing. CMF, according to CADmore’s CEO, overcomes those limitations, offering parts that match or exceed conventional quality, while being substantially cheaper and faster to produce.
In fact, CMF reportedly makes parts at least three times faster than traditional metal additive manufacturing, and at 50–60% lower cost per part. Because the feedstock can be used with many existing SLS 3D printers, companies don’t need to invest in pricey, specialized hardware. CMF also reduces waste and allows reusing unprocessed powder, improving sustainability and efficiency.
CADmore Metal has already opened a CMF application center in South Carolina, giving North American firms access to the full suite, from powder supply to sintering and post-processing support.
For industries such as aerospace, defense, energy, or advanced manufacturing, CMF could be a game changer. It combines the design flexibility of 3D printing, the strength of titanium, and the economics of scalable production, making lightweight, complex, high-performance metal parts more accessible than ever.